Oyo Set to Clamp Down on Illegal Miners, Revenue Defaulters

The Oyo State Government has warned illegal miners to desist from the act or be ready to face the wrath of the law.

 

Dr. ‘Bunmi Babalola,Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Oyo State, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said the  government also extended stern warning to operators  who fail to comply with the extant rules and regulations guiding the mining industry.

 

The Chairman, Oyo State Minerals Development Agency, Mr. Abiodun Oni, disclosed this today at the State Secretariat, Ibadan.

 

Mr. Oni therefore warned illegal miners who embark on mining activities without an official permission from the State Government and revenue defaulters to desist from these acts, as Government is on their trail.

 

However, Oni said the State Government is ready to partner with relevant stakeholders in the mining industry, so as to increase the State Resource Control and Economy Development.

 

Mr. Abiodun Oni stated that prior to this time, the Agency has been having meaningful discussions with some relevant stakeholders on ways to strategise and develop the budding industry in Oyo State.

 

He revealed that the State is endowed with different kinds of Solid Minerals such as: Granites, Gold, Gemstone, Quarts, Cassiterite, Marble, Garnet, Tin-Ore, Monganite, Naobium, Agate, Topnz, Limestone, Tantalum among others.

 

Meanwhile, the state  government has warned that it would deal ruthlessly with those engaged in vandalism of public facilities, calling on members of the public to protect the facilities to ensure durability.

 

 

The Government  sternly warned that anyone caught in the act of attacking public facilities in the State would be made to face the wrath of the law.

 

 

The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Barrister Temilolu Seun Ashamu gave this warning Thursday after reported cases of noticeable vandalism of the street light poles by some unknown people.

 

 

Ashamu noted with dismay that the good intention behind the procurement of such public facilities may be defeated if they are not properly managed and protected by the people in their various communities.

 

 

Speaking in Ibadan, Barrister Temilolu Seun Ashamu called on the people to be vigilant and report any case of destruction on any of the facilities to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources or nearby police station for proper action.

 

 

He said that the light up project embarked upon by the Oyo State Government was to beautiful cities and towns. He added that the project was embarked on to ensure that nowhere is safe for criminals to hide or perpetrate their heinous act.

 

 

The Commissioner, who commended Governor Seyi Makinde for ensuring better life for good people of Oyo state, hinted that the Government had already provided 50 kilometers of Street light for cities and towns across Oyo state.

 

 

He noted that when the whole project is completed Oyo state would wear a new look.